Agencies finished last year with improved revenues and are racing to scoop up new business as marketers begin to shop again. This year, as Direct Marketing News interviewed executives at dozens of the leading firms, the message we heard over and over again was "revenues are back."

While many direct shops simply want to stress their digital acumen over legacy direct channels, Robert Horvath, CEO of Rapp, wants clients to call his firm to lead the strategic thinking around any customer-related issue.

After more than a half-century in business, the agency founded by pioneers Lester and Irving Wunderman, Ed Ricotta and Henry Kline remains an industry heavyweight.

OgilvyOne Worldwide's chairman and CEO, Brian Fetherstonhaugh, describes the last year as a "recovery year," for the industry.

The past 12 months have represented the greatest industry transformation that Draftfcb CEO Laurence Boschetto says he has ever seen.

AKQA offers interactive CRM, e-commerce, interface design, content creation and distribution, media planning, search marketing and analytics services.

In March 2010, Catalyst dropped "Direct" from its name to reflect its growing digital strength, while doubling the size of its analytics and digital departments.

Euro RSCG 4D, a subsidiary of Euro RSCG, bolstered its offering in the last year through acquisitions, including Baltimore-based digital agency Congruent Media.

Organic CEO Marita Scarfi cites the digital agency's analytics practice that measures cross-channel consumer interactions as one of its primary strengths.

Hawkeye, like many agencies, has transitioned from a one-time reliance on print marketing to prioritizing its digital business.